Falls man suspected of growing pot to appear in court next month

A Menomonee Falls man accused of running an elaborate marijuana grow operation in his home is expected to appear in Waukesha County Circuit Court next month.

Dennis J. Schaumberg, 58, is charged with four felonies: possession of THC with intent to deliver, manufacturing THC, maintaining a drug trafficking place and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Police raided Schaumberg's home at N90 W17037 Appleton Ave. on the morning of Nov. 16, according to a criminal complaint. Inside the home, police discovered 25 marijuana plants, 4 pounds of dried marijuana and a gun.

Menomonee Falls police were at Schaumberg's home to assist the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, which was conducting an investigation unrelated to the drugs.

According to the criminal complaint, police found child pornography in the home, and Schaumberg admitted it was his. Schaumberg has not been charged with having the pornography in Waukesha County Circuit Court or in federal court.

The spokesman for the FBI Milwaukee Field Office, which was investigating the child pornography, did not return a call seeking information about pending charges against Schaumberg.

Schaumberg, who has been out of jail on bond since Nov. 18, is expected to have his next court hearing at 9 a.m. Jan. 10, according to court records.

Inside Schaumberg's home, police said, they found a sophisticated grow operation. Officers found 16 large marijuana plants, nine small marijuana plants and 4 pounds of dried marijuana, according to the complaint. They also took fans, light bulbs, pipes and thermometers used to grow marijuana.

While searching the home, officers discovered two tent setups containing a "very elaborate marijuana grow operation," that included a watering system, an area to dry the marijuana buds, timers for the lights and fertilizer, the complaint said.